The scoreboard could be in full working order by tonight at Burlington Athletic Stadium if a repaired part is returned from out of state, according to front-office officials with the Burlington Royals.

Aside from the score by innings and runs totals, the scoreboard at the city-owned facility hasn’t functioned for the past two homestands when the Appalachian League team played.

The Royals begin a six-game homestand tonight when the Bluefield Blue Jays visit.

Team general manager Ben Abzug said a storm a couple of weeks ago caused damage to the scoreboard’s functioning parts and the stadium’s sound system.

“It was unfortunate timing is the crux of it,” he said.

Tony Laws, director of the Burlington Recreation and Parks Department, said the damaged part is no longer produced and the mechanism had to be sent out of state to be repaired.

“It’s just unfortunate,” Laws said. “We’ll put it in the day we get it.”

Abzug said city workers were quick to help get the stadium’s sound system in working order after the storm. He said they were on site a week ago Monday addressing the scoreboard problem, eventually having to send for help out of state.

“I’m frustrated, the city is frustrated,” Abzug said.

The part’s return to Burlington apparently has been delayed by the Independence Day holiday.

“July 4 threw a kink into it,” team vice president Dan Moushon said during the weekend. “If they don’t have it by Wednesday, then come on.”

Abzug said it’s important to have a working scoreboard to help fans follow the game.

Six games without a useful scoreboard accounts for almost 18 percent of the team’s regular-season home games.

Managers and pitching coaches also have been agitated. Among other things, they were unaware of official scoring decisions until after games.

A mini-board displaying balls, strikes and outs was in use atop the visiting dugout for the past three games. That wasn’t visible to players on the field or to some spectator seating areas.

Laws said a new scoreboard is planned for the fall.

Scott Sharp, director of player development for the parent Kansas City Royals, is expected to be among the visitors beginning tonight and for at least part of the homestand.